Palm Sunday is formally named “Palm Sunday of the Passion of the Lord.” This long title brings out the two aspects of Palm Sunday: The Palms and the Passion. The Palms signify that everybody loves a winner. The big crowds seeing Jesus’ riding into Jerusalem, expecting Him to overcome all their problems. Not unlike us today, they suffered from a lot of illness (so much physical and emotional pain); political distress over their leadership (Herod); food insecurity (hunger & homelessness); and wondering when all this suffering would end. So, when they saw Jesus coming, He was their messiah, their savior, their hope. But very quickly after the palms are thrown away and His Passion takes place. That means that the crowds changed their minds and were now disappointed with Jesus. Nobody understood why He came, because He claimed to bring His Kingdom of peace and love. But the people wanted what they thought was something better: an easy life with no struggles, money and wealth, and military power over the Romans. They didn’t care anymore about Jesus’ message of peace and love. He came to free the people from sin and death; teach them a new way of living with mercy and forgiveness. There is a great lesson for us in this story. We talk about faith in Jesus because He brings us salvation. Yet we want what we think is more: material wealth and control over other people. This is rampant in our culture today. One of the messages of hope H he could ride into Jerusalem like a King. The disciples made this request to man who owned animals. He asked why Jesus only requested a donkey? They responded “Because the master has need of it!” Without hesitation the man obeyed Jesus immediately. It is a very humble and simple part of the story. But the message to us is clear: whatever gift God has given me, I will use it to help Him build His Kingdom. All of us have something to offer to Jesus that He will make use of in helping others. So, the Gospel challenges us with the question: “What am I good at?” It is a gift from God. Then give it! Because the Master has need of it. May this Holy Week that lies ahead be a time of joy and peace, and may we be moved by the Holy spirit to share the gifts we have with others! Happy Easter!                                                                          ~ Fr. John